The Cleveland Browns continue to deal with quarterback questions in a season they did not expect that to happen. When the Browns signed Josh McCown, they made it clear that he was the starter and Manziel is the backup. However, with two preseason games under their belt, it is Manziel winning fans over the veteran. With Dwayne Bowe predicting a high-powered Cleveland offense, is there really a battle to be under center Week 1?
Head coach Mike Pettine is making it clear that there is not a big competition taking place with the quarterbacks and an injury is helping that point along. According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Manziel left practice early due to an elbow injury that could have him miss time. Pettien downplayed the idea that the injury would linger for too long. With the momentum Manziel gained during the second preseason game, an injury is unwanted at this time. Manziel has been performing so well that Pettine noted he is not ready to name a clear starter at the moment.
"We feel good about where Johnny [Manziel] is as the No. 2 and where Josh is as the No. 1," Pettine said, via ESPN.com. "Our thoughts on the quarterback picture are the same as they were going into last night. I worry about things that I have control over. I don't control the questions outside of the building. I'm not going to have my actions be based on that. We have a plan for our quarterback room as we have a plan for all our other positions, and we're going to stick to it."
While there is not a battle at the quarterback spot, there is one brewing at the running back position. With Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell underwhelming this preseason, there has been talk that the Browns might add Ray Rice to the mix. However, before they are ready to do that, Pettine wants to get a good look at rookie Duke Johnson who is returning from a hamstring injury.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Johnson returned to practice as he is expected to play a huge role in the offense as both a running back and receiver. The Browns are hopeful they can get him up to speed quickly. Pettine noted the next few weeks would be critical in determining his future with the offense this season.
"It's important," Pettine said, per Scout.com. "He looked really good for us in shorts in the spring but he needs live reps. That's asking a lot of a rookie to put him out there Week 1 with minimal full contact reps. These next two weeks are big for Duke."
